Most of the time, I’m the quintessential mom. I’m supposed to be concerned about everything: from growth milestones to grades, bedtime routines to dental visits. And guess what? I genuinely care! I keep track of homework, ensure my kids make the team, and even whip up nutritious snacks. I’m a multitasking champ. I plan, I discipline, I pin ideas on Pinterest, and sometimes I even bring those ideas to life. On most days, I’m on top of everything. I read through all those PTA emails and show up at every event, dressed and ready to engage. Yes, I’m a mom.
But there are times when I’m just utterly exhausted—a person too tired to manage it all. I want to tell everyone, including my kids and the PTA, to handle it themselves, seriously. I’m running on empty. When motherhood has me feeling like a zombie, I start to notice some unmistakable signs that I am officially too tired to mom:
- I’m waving the white flag.
Literally. When a little one has an accident in my bed at night, I used to spring into action, but now? I just toss a towel over it and return to sleep. Cat puke on the floor? Towel it. A spilled drink in the car? Towel. My own reflection in a swimsuit? Giant towel. - Parties? Just shoot me.
In theory, they sound delightful! But then reality hits. I either bake from scratch for school events or barely manage a last-minute donut drop-off. Birthday parties? I’ve resorted to outsourcing them to places with names like “Trampoline & Pizza Palace.” - FOMO? What’s that?
The fear of missing out on the latest trendy activities? Yeah, that’s long gone. I just don’t care anymore. - Empathy? Nope.
I saw a pile of vomit outside a store recently, and my first thought was, “Thank goodness it’s not mine!” - Rules? What are those?
I used to enforce strict house rules, but now I find a kid, pet, or both snuggled up in my bed with snacks. I stumbled upon my child eating ice cream for breakfast one morning and simply gave a half-hearted thumbs-up. Milk, right? - Laundry? What laundry?
If the clothes make it to the dryer, I consider it a win. Just grab what you need, kids. - Food? What food?
When Lunchables and Hot Pockets become staples in the fridge, you know I’m out of steam. Dinner? By Wednesday, it’s fast food or whatever frozen items I can find. - Following through on punishments? Not a chance.
Taking away my kid’s iPad is just as painful for me as it is for them. I need five minutes of peace! - Shortcuts are my best friend.
Why come up with original bedtime stories when I can just retell a movie plot? And who needs to vacuum when I have a dog? - Bribes are my go-to.
I know what motivates my kids, and it usually involves treats or cash. - My daughter sleeps in her clothes. Again.
Her feral self finally dozed off, and I’m not waking her up for proper pajamas. Nope. - Sometimes I drop the F-bomb.
When exhaustion hits, my filter disappears. - Fights? What fights?
If I hear chaos upstairs, I’m tuning it out. I have my money on the younger one. - Minecraft is my babysitter.
I’m pretty sure my kids were glued to Minecraft for hours while I wrote this. It’s educational, or so I’ve read. - I tell my kids to leave me alone.
I adore my kids, but sometimes I’d rather deal with anything than play yet another board game. - I’ve accepted quitters.
My daughter loves activities until it’s time to commit. When my son wanted to quit soccer, we celebrated our newfound free weekends. - I’m a chronic liar.
I bend the truth on reading logs and bedtime stories. I’ve been known to cheat at games just to finish up quickly. - Buying my freedom.
Yeah, I’ll gladly shell out for whatever keeps us moving along. Just let me out of this store! - That Halloween shirt is making a comeback.
It’s ridiculously small and should be retired, but I’m too tired to argue. - Wait, did I say 20 signs?
I’m too worn out to think of one more. Tomorrow will be better, right?
In summary, motherhood can be an exhausting journey filled with ups and downs. When you’re feeling drained, it’s essential to recognize the signs and give yourself a break. Finding ways to engage with parenting while also looking after your well-being is crucial. If you want to learn more about home insemination, check out this great resource. For further information on conception methods, visit this link that provides valuable insights. Also, the CDC is an excellent source for anyone looking for information on reproductive health.